Eliminating Sugar

I must hit the hay soon but I didn't want to leave you hanging.

I lost 4 pounds last week and 1 inch from my waist. I need to clarify that I'm not actually measuring around my natural waist (that is 28 inches), I'm measuring at the fullest part of my abdomen which is right at the top of my hip bones and hits my belly button dead-on.

I hadn't thrown out all of the sugar in my house. I still had some chocolate covered graham crackers and marshmallows so Jackson could roast s'mores on the stove. Well, on Friday I got home before Jackson got out of school. I had a nice, healthy lunch and then started thinking about the s'mores. So I had one. Mmmm, it was so good. So good, in fact, that I had another.

I was pretty disappointed in myself. I decided I needed to take drastic measures so I threw away the cookies and the dark chocolate squares in my pantry. Jackson: not pleased. But, hello! He's hypoglycemic too, so he doesn't need the sugar either. I avoided sweets at Adrienne's bday party that night, I said no to birthday cake and Jackson's friend's party on Saturday, and I avoided chocolate cake at a reception after church on Sunday. I was pretty darn proud of myself.

I've lost another pound so far this week. I'm not sticking too closely to the actual FFP...mostly because I got really sick of cranberry water and I don't have the money to purchase the recommended supplements. But I'm not having sugar or white flour. Not much flour at all, really. I bought some Ezekiel bread and eat that when I need some good carbs...plus allowable fruits. Having allowable fruits makes this plan really doable. Apples, grapefruit, pears, nectarines, plums, and berries. Yum!

I did mess up last night at the last minute. I had Bible study at my house and bought some peach cobbler bread to serve the girls. I didn't have any until the very end of the night, but it was only 1/2 slice. But after the girls left, I had about 4 more 1/2 slices. I threw out the rest and decided the girls will have to do without a sweet treat next week!

Working out has been going great. Now I remember why I used to workout regularly. I feel so good afterward!! On Monday I did about 40 walking lunges along with squats and dead lifts. My hamstrings are killing me today!

Okay, gotta go to bed. 2 houses to clean tomorrow, plus a cleaning bid, and then a hardcore workout. :-)

Measurements, Oh My!

Height: 5'7" Frame: Small
Waist: 32 inches
Hips: 37 inches
Thigh: 22 1/4 inches
Weight: When I started on Monday, it was 135. On Tuesday morning, it was 132. Today: same.

I'm mostly concerned with inches. My waist to hip ratio is too high...in fact, it's borderline abdominal obesity!!! Because of my hypoglycemia, I crave sugar big time. And when I give in to those cravings (which has been many times a day!), my blood sugar spikes and then my pancreas overreacts, producing too much insulin, which then results in the production of fat. And that fat is stored in the abdomen. Belly fat is not only ugly, it's deadly. And it's really, really uncomfortable!

Today I brought a square of dark chocolate with me to Bible study. It had 4 grams of sugar in it. For most people, this is next to nothing. I ate my lunch of a high protein soup, 1/2 of a grapefruit, and pistachios. A little while later, while listening to my CBS teaching director share her lesson, I ate the chocolate. Within a few minutes, I started feeling light headed and my vision blurred and I just wanted to lie down and go to sleep! I was pretty stunned. I didn't realize my reaction to sugar was so intense. It is no wonder I have gained so much fat around my mid-section...my pancreas must be overproducing insulin like a monster! What scares me is that hypoglycemia can lead to diabetes and diabetes runs in my family. Considering my reaction to sugar today, I think I might be at a higher risk than I originally thought!

I am fully addicted to sugar. I crave it like crazy and cannot go a day without something sweet. Until now. I decided tonight that I need to look at this like a disease, like alcoholism. I wonder if there is a Sugar Addicts Anonymous program? The great thing is that the longer I go without sugar, the less I will crave it. My blood sugar level will normalize and that is how the cravings will subside.

My goal is to lose an inch in my hips, bringing me down to 36 inches. And for my waist, it's 28 inches. So I've got FOUR inches to lose around my waist. That puts me at a 78% waist to hip ratio which is very healthy.

In addition to cutting out the white stuff my body craves (sugar and white flour), I am increasing my exercise time and doing more weight training. I think I can reach my goal in 6 weeks, maybe less.

I'll let ya know. :-)

A New Year

Okay, so this is totally crazy. I am insane for what I am about to do. You might laugh. I might cry. Whatever, I'm gonna do it anyway.

I am fat flushing starting tomorrow. It's the Fat Flush Plan. A total body detox and fat loss makeover.

1st of all: I'm not fat. I know this. I am fortunate to have a pretty high metabolism, thanks to my parents. However, I am hypoglycemic and pretty much addicted to sugar. And it has wreaked havoc on my body. And since I'm only 31, I figure I can get a head start on growing older healthily. And 2nd: I've gained weight in the last 6 months and I'm not happy about it. So there.

The plan includes journaling, including (gasp!) recording body measurements. Oh my goodness. I am going to post them on my blog. Holy Moley!!

But not until tomorrow. I'm just giving you the heads up. Now, I debated posting "before" pictures but that is just too dang embarrassing. I know, I'm a dork. The measurements should be incriminating enough, don't you think? Yikes.

Okay, I'm off to bed. I had my last hoorah tonight. A margarita, Mexican food, dessert, and coffee. Yummmmmm.